Hands-on with GamePark's GP2X F-200

Confessions up front: we're pretty hot for any device that sports some sort of console emulator, so when faced with GamePark Holding's GP2X, which currently boasts of SNES, NES, Genesis, MAME and quite a few other gems, it's a little difficult to rein in the enthusiasm. That said, the new F-200 could use just a little bit of slimming -- you have to really mean it if you're going to carry this thing around instead of your PSP or DS. Otherwise we found the unit to be quite comfortable to hold and use, responsive enough in the OS department, and completely packed to the gills with features. Video playback is sluggish, but games loaded and performed quite well. We weren't able to test the F-200's new touchscreen, which is the only upgrade of the device over the existing F-100, but apparently it will be implemented as a mouse controller for developers to do whatever they want with the Linux device. And trust us, they will.

Gallery: Hands-on with GamePark's GP2X F-200

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[peshue @ Sep 1st 2007 7:26PM]

From the bulge on the back I'm guessing it's still using AA batteries. That's a shame.

[Mike Cerm @ Sep 1st 2007 8:49PM]

AA batteries are actually a blessing in a device like this. You can use NiMH rechargeables, which cost next to nothing. With a few spares, you can play for days without having to find a charger. When you do have to charge, you can have one set in the device, while charging the spares.

I'm actually really annoyed by the fact that everything it the world has it's own, proprietary, $30 lithium-ion battery. Sure, Lithium does get you more power in a smaller size, but there are a lot of devices that could benefit from using AAs instead. Especially when, as is often the case, the only way to charge the proprietary battery is in the device itself.

[caramelzappa @ Sep 1st 2007 7:44PM]

Did they adjust the price so that it can actually be competitive?

[Mike Cerm @ Sep 1st 2007 9:08PM]

When the GP2X launched, it was actually the same price as the PSP, which, while very different, is roughly equivalent, spec-wise. Each has it's pluses and minuses. Thanks to the hacking community, the PSP can do a lot of what the GP2X was built for, making it arguably a better deal.

The DS, at the time, was only $50 cheaper, but has roughly 1/5th the processing power of the GP2X. Let's be honest here, I have a faster processor in my cellphone than you get in the DS. Essentially, the DS is too underpowered for anything other than playing DS games, whereas the GP2X can play movies, music, and a lot more games. However, if you like DS games, and many people seem to, then the DS is not a bad choice.

[caramelzappa @ Sep 2nd 2007 12:20AM]

Yes I know all that, except I must disagree to some things. The GP2X has plenty of downfalls, I own the first model and even with rechargeable photo batteries the battery life is less than pleasant. PSP equivalent? Not really, I think the games you can emulate on the GP2X can be more FUN than your average PSP game but the graphical power of both the DS and the PSP is far superior. I haven't seen a single game for my GP2X that close to rivals the graphics in DS games like Mario 64. The DS also has it's own homebrew that lets you do most of the things you can do with GP2X, M3 Simply cards and similar make it pretty easy. Last I checked the F-100 GP2X is still $60 more expensive than the DS, and $10 more than the PSP while you can run most of the same homebrews and emulators on both other devices. When you take all these things into account, the price of the GP2X is far from competitive. The new touchscreen version is bound to be more expensive, and don't forget you also have to shell out about $20 for good batteries if you want to play the thing for a decent amount of time.

[Gihan @ Sep 1st 2007 8:18PM]

Its not the only upgrade....there's a new D-pad instead of the crappy stick it had in the first model.
Shame about not being able to test the touchscreen though.

[Kal-El @ Sep 1st 2007 8:23PM]

Just because someone will inevitably say it: But does it play Doom?

[cameron brower @ Sep 1st 2007 8:55PM]

Yeah. It does. http://wiki.gp2x.org/wiki/PrBoom

[WinterN @ Sep 3rd 2007 4:12AM]

...And quake: http://wiki.gp2x.org/wiki/Quake

[giuliop @ Sep 10th 2007 2:53PM]

Question is, will it blend?

[dudeInAmerica @ Sep 1st 2007 8:30PM]

I'm in for one.

Taking one for the team to support legal homebrew devices.

[JMacGill @ Sep 1st 2007 9:04PM]

A better update would have been to add wifi.

BTW it's been playing Doom for years.

[1234321 @ Sep 1st 2007 9:11PM]

well there are ways of getting WiFi on it, what it really needs is a GPU like the PSP and DS

[Mohan @ Sep 3rd 2007 1:07PM]

That is exactly the reason I holding off on this, I want it to have wifi and a browser that would be icing on the cake for me. :-)

[darkstar @ Sep 1st 2007 10:12PM]

wait.
so how good is MAME is on the psp??? i would rather get the psp if emulation is silky smooth

[John @ Sep 2nd 2007 12:38AM]

far from it. the mame emulators on the PSP are lacking to say the least. most have the ability to play around 5 games (most are capcom or NEO-GEO). furthermore, the frame rate is, from what i hear, less than desirable.

someone call me when a PSP MAME emulator can play mortal kombat II.

[apeguero @ Sep 1st 2007 10:21PM]

Alright Engadget members, how does one get emulation on the PSP? Do I still need to have that Lumines game? Or is there an easier way to do this?

[Mike @ Sep 5th 2007 12:00PM]

Google Pandora's Battery.

[apeguero @ Sep 5th 2007 12:29PM]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

[newmiracle @ Sep 2nd 2007 2:12AM]

I'd love a more thorough review when it's available. What do you mean by "video playback is sluggish"? Dropped frames? Low FPS?

I have a high level of optimism for this device in regards to homebrew development using the stylus. There's some musical software for the GP2X now, but it would be awesome to see some kind of LittleSoundDJ that used live touch input or something. Some dude made a VJ type program that splices videos and does trippy effects- again, how cool would stylus functions be?

Keep on covering this device, please!

[Ultima Thule @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:53AM]

I think that video playback is good. I normally use my GP2X (mk I) for MAME and as a PMP.
I usually encode movies like this and they look very good:

AVI File Details
========================================
Name..........: The Road To Guantanamo.avi
Filesize......: 429Mb
Runtime.......: 01:31:36
Video Codec...: DivX5
Video Bitrate.: 549Kbps
Frame Size....: 320x224
Frame Rate....: 25fps
Audio Codec...: mp3
Audio Bitrate.: 96Kbps
Audio Freq....: 32KHz
Audio Channels: Stereo

I'd really love an official support for SD > 2GB, that would be a cool upgrade.

[Mike @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:59PM]

I have a 4gb sdhc in mine, works no probs, still on firmware 2.0.

[wraggster @ Sep 2nd 2007 3:33PM]

Pandora is now the easiest way to downgrade/unbrick a PSP, http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/pandora-battery-unbrick-amp-downgrade-any-psp-71985.html

As for MAME and any other console on the PSP just browse http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/ and read comments and youll soon make your own mind up

[abby @ Sep 10th 2007 2:39PM]

i would only buy this if it can emulate nintendo 64 dreamcast a ps2 ... a perfect snes a perfect mame etc.....and also a nintendo ds since its a touch screen....other than that if it can do none of the above im sticking with my old gp2x.....

[Z? @ Sep 13th 2007 6:52AM]

http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?s=02d50a6789ee36195c18d53a4dbbdd09&showtopic=38044

check that out. might make you happy or sad... im waiting for a release date because i know this will pull through. i waited a year to get the newest gp2x(didnt buy). i can easily wait for a wifi integrated system with better processors and a 2d-3d chip... cant wait